The Best Healthy Habits for Single Moms Balancing Work, Kids, and Life

As a single mom, you probably have a lot on your plate. You are probably juggling so many responsibilities between going to work, taking the kids to school, and coming home to cook a healthy meal for your family. You tell yourself that your health is very important but you may not have the time to take of it like you should. 

I get it, sometimes you don’t feel like cooking or you just don’t have the time to clean up the house, and your health can become a low priority even if it’s unintentional. 

But what if I told you, you can still maintain a great work life balance while taking good care of your health? 

In this blog post, we will discuss just that. I will share with you some healthy habits that will help you balance work and your kids as a single mom.  

I’m not or a health care professional, but for me it feels better to be healthy. Im not just talking about physical health but your mental health as well. Making sure you are nourishing your mind and body and have a lot of energy for yourself and your kids. Studies have shown that single mothers are at greater risk for poor physical and mental health because of stress, financial pressure, and caregiving responsibilities. 

Another thing is that when you develop healthy habits you are more likely to have better productivity and you continue to be a positive example for your children. 

Single moms face many challenges when trying to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some of these challenges are time limitations, exhaustion, lack of support, and even financial stress. I definitely understand. 

When I was a single mom, I used to include my daughter in most of my healthy habit routines. Having your child help in the kitchen cooking, playing with your child outside, or even doing deep breathing with your child can make doing the habits below that much easier. 

As a mom of three myself, I find this habit to be way easier said than done, especially when you have to get up for work in the mornings. Even if you pick 2-3 days out of the week to develop self-care routines into your mornings, you may see a big difference. 

So what can this look like? You can get up a little earlier and journal or maybe can stretch before the kids wake up (this is one of my favorites). Another idea is engaging in prayer or meditation. These really help in slowing down your mornings and prevents rushing in the morning. They are also good for managing emotions and your mind. 

I get it, not everyone is a good sleeper, but if you are going to bed late maybe try going to bed 30 minutes earlier a couple of days out of the week.

 For me, I have a whole routine that I involve my kids in. I have my lavender oil and meditation music ready to go, and I find that they make a huge difference in my sleep. 

We all know the benefits of sleep. It allows for better mental health, improved focus and memory,  helps the brain concentrate, learn new information, and remember things more clearly. It also aids in a stronger immune system, more energy and physical health, and weight management. 

The list goes on.

Food is expensive nowadays and some people believe that its just not possible to eat healthy with the prices of food. For me, I find that to be the farthest from the truth. I find that whole foods are not only good for you, but they are inexpensive. 

These whole foods are fruits, vegetables, rice, and beans. I love some lentil stew, chicken and rice, or chicken tacos. I also love to shop at aldi or lidl because I find that the prices are right. 

When it comes to meal prepping I utilize chatgpt to help me come up with simple and quick meals. The  keyword here  is quick as a mom. The last thing we as moms want to think about is what we are going to eat for dinner after coming home from work. 

Just like we nourish our bodies with healthy foods, our bodies love water. I find water to be super refreshinig and I find that I have so much energy after drinking a good amount of water. Some people like to have the large water bottles to keep them on track and I find that that is super helpful also. 

The benefits of water helps to prevent dehydration, improves brain function, supports digestion, boosts physical performance, helps regulate body temperature, and so much more.

It is no secret that moving your body is good for you. I always advocate for an exercise activity that you love. Some people love to dance, do yoga, stretch, walk outside, or even go to the gym. The best thing about moving your body (to me at least) is it’s free and the children can be included as well. 

This one can be a rough one for some people, especially those who are people pleasers. This used to be me and let me tell you I was not happy. Consistently trying to please other people is a quick way to drain your energy, especially when it’s people that don’t return the same energy. 

Not saying no to people is a quick way to make yourself unhappy and overwhelmed. Learn to set boundaries no matter if its family, friends, or even co-workers. The word “no” can make a big difference in your life. 

Self-care can look different for different people. It could be something as simple as taking care of your skin or doing your hair. It can even be as simple as taking 30 minutes of quiet time to yourself just reading a book. For me, getting a massage and doing meditation are my favorites. 

Self-care really comes in handy when you are living in survival mode and you just need to slow down a little bit. 

There are two things that really stress me out: car problems and not having any money. Financial stress can add fuel to the fire, especially as a single mom. 

Creating a budget and knowing exactly where your money is going can make a big difference if you are having issues with your finances. If you don’t know how to create a budget and put money aside, there are plenty of youtube videos that are super helpful with this. Personally, I like to do my budget for about 3-4 months at a time so that I know exactly what has to get paid, what I need to set aside, and what I need to invest. 

When I was a single mother, sometimes I would take my daughter with me to do instacart or doordash for some extra cash. There are so many options for side hustles. 

Having a reliable support system can make or break your ability to balance work, kids, and life. I cannot stress enough about how helpful friends and family can be when you really need someone to care for your children. 

I understand not everyone has this support system so finding parenting communities can be another great option. 

• Start with one habit at a time. Don’t try to do everything at once. Add in one new habit  a month  and gradually increase the new habits into your life. Trying to do everything at once is an easy way to have a setback. 
• Utilize reminders and routines. I like to set alarms on my phone for when I have to take my vitamins or there’s a bill that needs to get paid; it helps out so much. Eventually, I didn’t need the reminders after a while. 
• Include your children in healthy activities. One thing that I’ve learned about children is that they love to be included in things. It can also build healthy habits for them over time as well. 

Developing healthy habits can make a big difference in balancing your life and kids, especially when the kdis are included. Adding one habit a time slowly is a great way to ensure consistency. 

Which healthy habit do you want to focus on first? Share your thoughts in the comments.?

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. I am not a medical or mental health professional, and you should always consult a qualified provider for guidance specific to your situation.

“I am not a financial advisor, and nothing I say should be considered financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.”